Australia's netballers close in on new pay deal

AUSTRALIA'S top netballers are close to sealing a deal that would double their pay within three years and end a dispute threatening the future of international games.

Netball Australia chief executive Kate Palmer said an offer was being put to the Australian Netball Players Association and she hoped for a decision this week.

"I met with the ANPA 10 days ago and have been in constant contact since," Palmer said. "We have found a lot of common ground."

National squad members are paid $200 daily when on duty and the ANPA is arguing for the amount to be doubled. NA is offering a 50 per cent increase and 100 per cent within three years.

The deal would end the threat of a strike by the Diamonds squad, which is scheduled to play seven Tests this year, including one in Adelaide.

ANPA director John-Paul Blandthorn said the players were waiting for a formal letter from NA before acting.

"We are close to a deal," Blandthorn said. "When I get the formal letter, I'll have a phone hook-up with the players' representatives and if they are happy, we will all be happy.

"Kate and I work well together but it is up to the players to accept the offer, not me or Kate."

Adelaide Thunderbirds captain Natalie von Bertouch said the nation's best netballers should be fairly compensated for the time and effort they put in to represent their country.

As the Thunderbirds' representative of ANPA, von Bertouch has been a key player in the pay dispute.

"It can be frustrating, but that is the way it is and money does not come out of thin air," she said.

"Of course any sportsperson would like to earn more money and that is something as a sport we are continually striving for.

"I am not silly and you look at a football game and you get 50,000 and 3000 to netball.

"We would love to get paid more - our hours that we train are professional hours.

"That is what we are fighting for - to get our time credited.

"To get that, we have to get the crowds, the support and the sponsors on board.

"TV rights are an important aspect. You can't get paid that much if you don't have those things in place.

"What the sport has as a huge credit is fantastic role models who never do anything wrong and promote a healthy lifestyle."

The Diamonds take on arch-rival New Zealand in five Tests, including the third Test at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre on October 4, and two internationals against Malawi.

"We play for Australia because we love it and are committed to do that," von Bertouch said.

"But the demands on our time are so high.

"What we are getting remunerated is not enough for the time commitment we are putting in.

"It is a challenging time for the sport and I can see both sides. As a player and member of the players association, we are doing all we can to enable players to continue to play for their country and to continue to sacrifice their work life.

"If there is no money, we can't get paid more but we are making sure if there is money available, that we are pushing to get our due rights to that money."

WHAT OUR SPORT STARS GET PAID

NATIONAL REPRESENTATIONCRICKETCricket Australia has 20 contracted players who earn a base wage. Players are paid bonuses of $14,000 per Test, $5600 per one-dayer and $4200 per Twenty20. Average wage is $1 million (for Test and One Day combined). Minimum wage is $230,000.

RUGBY UNIONEach member of the Wallabies squad receives the same match payment per Test for Australia. Average wage is $13,000 per match.

TENNISDavis Cup players are paid an undisclosed fee by Tennis Australia on top of ITF match payments, which vary according to the group and round a nation reaches in the tournament. This is on top of career prizemoney. Minimum wage is $15,000 (per team, per tie for first round of World Group). Maximum wage is $75,000 (per team, per tie for the final of the World Group).

SOCCEREach member of the Socceroos squad is paid $6000 per appearance in an international match. Bonuses vary according to performance. Base match fee is $6000.

NETBALLDiamonds players are paid $200 each day they are on national duty. Captain contracted by Netball Australia for $10,000 and vice-captain $5000. Average wage is $200 a day when on national duty.

BASKETBALLMoney was allocated to keep players in Australia in the lead-up to the Olympics and they were paid in accordance with their status. A major player giving up the chance to earn in the WNBA in the US could receive up to $50,000, players with smaller roles $15,000 and a sliding scale in between. Basketball Australia does not release its budget to the public.